Astros drop Sanchez from roster to make room for Snyder

The Astros designated Angel Sanchez for assignment Tuesday, giving them 10 days to trade him, release him or send him through waivers. The move cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for Chris Snyder, who was signed Friday and whose spot needed to be opened by the end of Tuesday.

Sanchez was acquired from the Red Sox for Kevin Cash in 2010 and played shortstop through absences of Tommy Manzella in 2010 and Clint Barmes in 2011 and a utility role otherwise. He hit .258 with a .310 on-base percentage and a .314 slugging percentage in 175 games for the Astros.

Sanchez was seen as a fallback option after Clint Barmes priced himself out of the Astros’ budget, but the club acquired Jed Lowrie as starting shortstop.

The move boosts Rule 5 pick Marwin Gonzalez’s standing as the only true shortstop left on the 40-man roster, though Matt Downs has some experience there. Non-roster invitees Joe Thurston and Brian Bixler will also be at spring training, as could Sanchez should he clear waivers and re-sign to a minor league deal.